جواز
gawāzeveryday
In Egyptian Arabic marriage is جواز (gawāz). زواج (zawāg) is the more formal word, used in writing, news and official forms. It is also called كتب الكتاب (katb el-ketāb).
Meaning: union of spouses (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| جواز | gawāz | everyday |
| زواج | zawāg | formal |
| كتب الكتاب | katb el-ketāb | signing of the contract |
You say الجواز for the institution or the event, as in عايز أتجوز (ʿāyez atgawwez), "I want to get married".
When do people say it?
كتب الكتاب (katb el-ketāb) is the signing of the marriage contract. It often happens before the wedding party, which is called فرح (faraḥ).
Did you know?
- In Egyptian tradition the marriage contract signing, كتب الكتاب, is often held at home or at a mosque or church, and is separate from the party.
Examples in context
- الجواز مسؤولية كبيرة.el-gawāz masʾūliyya kebīra.Marriage is a big responsibility.
- كتب الكتاب يوم الخميس.katb el-ketāb yōm el-ḵamīs.The contract signing is on Thursday.
- هنتجوز السنة الجاية.hanitgawwez es-sana el-gayya.We will get married next year.
Example conversation
Heba tells her friend Noha about her engagement over tea in Cairo.
- Nohaمبروك! امتى الجواز؟mabrūk! imta el-gawāz?Congratulations! When is the wedding?
- Hebaالسنة الجاية إن شاء الله.es-sana el-gayya in šāʾ allāh.Next year, God willing.
- Nohaوكتب الكتاب؟wi katb el-ketāb?And the contract signing?
- Hebaالشهر الجاي.eš-šahr el-gayy.Next month.
